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with Pepperdine's top-ranked graduate schools. Research initiatives and our Davenport
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News and Resources

Latest News

It is that time of year again! June 8 marked the official launch of our 8th annual
Public Engagement Grant Program, which will be accepting applications throughout the
summer. If your organization has a public engagement project that could use some
financial support, this opportunity may be just what you need. The Public Engagement
Grant Program is made possible through funding from the James Irvine Foundation and
offers funded consulting services to California's cities, counties, special districts
and civic organizations on a variety of issues.

From difficult budget decisions to tough land use problems, municipal and civic institutions
are recognizing that legitimately engaging their citizens - from discovering their
informed opinions, to inviting their participation in actual solutions - should be
a pragmatic priority. Still, the tight budgets that most require these public discussions
can also preclude them when municipalities decide that engaging residents is just
"too expensive."

This year, we anticipate awarding 2-4 grants. The minimum individual grant amount
will be $5,000 and the maximum individual grant amount will be $20,000. Prior to beginning
their public engagement campaign, grantees will receive training and consultation
from the Davenport Institute to build understanding and support for the civic engagement
effort amongst both administrative staff and elected officials.

The deadline for applications is Monday, September 14, and you can learn more and apply here.

Op-Eds/Essays

February 3, 2015: Pete Peterson authored "A Party for Citizens and Customers" in Fox and Hounds where he discusses the dual role of residents in relation to government,
and why we need a new politics that seeks to address and collaborate with residents
in both of these roles.

october 9, 2014: Pete Peterson wrote "Millenial Civic Engagement: Know the Challenges" featured by California Fwd, in which he explores the challenges facing Millenial
civic engagement and ways the State of California can address these challenges through
technological, transparency, and education innovations.

September 26 2014: Pete Peterson coauthored an op-ed with Fred Smoller in the Sacramento Bee, "Confronting Crisis in Civic Education" in which they discussed the importance of including local government and community
politics in K-12 Civic Learning.

June 29,2014: Ashley Trim authored "Who Stole My Polling Place?" in Zocalo Public Square in which she shares how her rural Los Angeles County precinct
became vote-by-mail only in the June primary and what effect that may have on low
voter turnout and other voting issues.

June 23, 2014: Pete Peterson authored an op-ed in the Los Angeles Times, "Why Californians Don't Vote," wherein he discussed the low voter turnout in California's June 3 primary and references
a study conducted by the Davenport Institute and the National Conference on Citizenship
on reasons Californians say they don't vote.

April 25, 2014: Pete Peterson coauthored an article with Kevin Klowden in City Journal, "Democrats v. Unions?" where they discuss what could become a central issue in California politics: the
fracturing of the coalition between Democrats and their public-employee union allies.

December 5, 2012: Ashley Trim authored the piece "Smart Meters vs. Social Capital" for City Journal California about the loss of community due to the latest in parking
technology.

November 30, 2012: Pete Peterson authored "If You Engage Them, Will They Come?" on Zocalo Public Square, where he looks at the challenges of bringing people to the
table and lays out seven rules for successful engagement.

November 3, 2012: Pete Peterson wrote "Jerry Brown Meets the Voter of the Future" published in the Hoover Institute's Eureka blog in which he discusses why the 30-second
television advertising is not able to reach 21st century voters.

August 6, 2012: Ashley Trim wrote "Big Society: Can the Britons 'Build That?'" published at Front Porch Republic on how residents of the UK are responding to cuts
in government services by filling the gaps and why some politicians and pundits are
less than enthusiastic.

July 12, 2012: Pete Peterson authored "SoS: A Chance at Reform?" published in Fox & Hounds. Peterson highlights the recent ballot numbering crisis
and how the Secretary of State might lead the way to reforming the system.

May 22, 2012: Pete Peterson wrote "How 'Public' Is the Public Sector?" published in New Geography wherein he discusses how the word "public" is often used
as a synonym for "government" and why this is a problem for a vibrant understanding
of civic engagement.

May 4, 2012: Pete Peterson wrote "Immersion Education for Parents," wherein he discusses how a local union is attempting to unionize minimally compensated,
hard-working volunteers and classroom adjuncts who are funded by the local community
and parents at a language immersion school in Culver City, California.

April 2012: Pete Peterson wrote "Public Engagement: The Vital Leadership Skill," published in
the March/April issue of California Special Districts Magazine. The article, which
shares a title with the Davenport Institute's public engagement training seminar looks
at the changes that are taking place in local governance when it comes to citizen
involvement.

April 14, 2012: Ashley Trim authored the op-ed "Building Community Is Everyone's Responsibility" published in the Ventura County Star. She discusses the role of residents in answering
fundamental questions about what our cities are and how they will be affected by cuts
to services.

March 7, 2012: Pete Peterson wrote "Creative Californians Redefine Rahm's 'Rule One'" published in The American. He discusses how municipalities across the state are
asking their residents to assume greater responsibilities, not only in decision making,
but also in service provision.